New code of conduct pleases county police boss

HAMPSHIRE’S top cop Andy Marsh today welcomed a new code of conduct for police officers and staff across England and Wales.

The new police ‘Code of Ethics’ was being launched today in Parliament under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The code will be adopted by all 43 forces in England and Wales applying to more than 220,000 officers, police staff, contractors and volunteers working in policing.

It is based around nine principles – accountability, fairness, honesty, integrity, leadership, objectivity, openness, respect and selflessness – and sets out the standards of behaviour that the public can expect from officers and staff at every role and at every level and will help guide decision making.

Hampshire’s Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: “The new code will bring greater consistency by defining expectations more clearly and it brings policing into line with other professions. “How we conduct ourselves matters and we hope this Code will help the public to have ever more confidence in the police.”